SupaSwap Result Report

Today is the day when thousands of teenagers find out what their hard earned toil has brought them. Yes today is A-Level results day. All the news programs have found a group of nervous 18 year olds to open their results live on the TV and commentators are answering the age old question, are the exams getting easier.
In fact, again this year there are record results and 1 in 12 of the exams have been awarded the new A* grade.  
The question of the exams difficulty is a dangerous one and runs the risk of belittling the achievements of this years students. No doubt the exams have changed radically in the last 30 years, with a heaver emphasis on coursework, and of course the hard work of the teachers, often berated, should not be ignored.

However I must say that my own worry is the next step for these youngsters. In recent years the policy of the British government has been that everyone should have the chance to go to university, as long as you can afford it of course. I completely disagree with this as a policy which I believe downgrades the value of a degree, increases the drop out rate (which funny enough no government quotes) and floods the employment market with a lot of potential employees.

Jobs Fit for Purpose

There are plenty of jobs in this world that do not require a degree but are just as important. Ok that may sound a bit Marxist  but think about it, how would we cope without someone to empty the bins and sweep the roads. Don´t get me wrong I am not getting at these people, I really do think they are important members of society. A degree is meant for those who can prove they are capable of learning to that level. Not everyone can.

Unemployment Looming?

However this year it is estimated that between 170,000 and 200,000 students will be left without an university place due to budget cuts. So what do you do if you haven´t got the course you want? Get a job, I can hear my father saying but ok that´s possible but you are only 18 or 19. Yes a job is useful if you can find one and during the year you can reapply for University. Travel is another great idea, broadens the mind as the old saying goes. Good luck to all of you from Supa Swap who have got your results today, you have your whole life ahead of you.